The science of swearing
Why do we swear? We’ll outline some of the science behind swearing. Read until the end to find out how cursing could actually be good for you.
5 February 2021 by
Laura Kelly
Forgotten festive English words we need to use this season
As a gift to our fellow word nerds, we’ve compiled some amazing and little-known festive English words.
16 December 2020 by Laura Kelly
New entries in the OED: March 2020
What are the latest entries to the OED in March 2020, and what do they mean? How do words get into the OED?
26 March 2020 by Laura Kelly
5 Shakespearean words we should use more often
You might be surprised about how many everyday words and phrases come from Shakespeare. But what about the less common words?
3 December 2019 by Laura Kelly
Watch your tone – how to write content that connects
We all know the phrase: “It’s not what you say, it’s the way you say it.” How can you connect to your reader on a personal level?
5 August 2019 by Laura Kelly
Readability at the UN: why is speech clarity important?
Readability is of great importance when writing speeches and communicating with others. How are the principles of readability used at the UN?
23 April 2019 by Laura Kelly
The Fry readability graph
The Fry formula is one of several developed in the 1960s for speed and efficiency. Find out how this graph can help you improve your readability.
8 April 2019 by Laura Kelly
The IELTS test
IELTS is a standardised proficiency test. It can be used to reach a global audience. Find out how IELTS is calculated and how you can best use it.
1 April 2019 by Laura Kelly
The Powers Sumner Kearl formula
The Powers Sumner Kearl formula was developed in the 1950s by a group of readability experts. Find out how you can use it to improve your writing.
27 March 2019 by Laura Kelly
The Raygor readability graph
The Raygor readability graph is a formula which calculates the reading grade level of a text. Find out how it's calculated and how it can best be used.
25 March 2019 by Laura Kelly
The history of readability
Readability has evolved with language. It is also linked to consumer habits, tech and education. Find out more about the history of readability.
4 March 2019 by Laura Kelly
Do Inuits really have 50 words for snow?
The belief that the Inuit have dozens of different words for snow has become a widely known piece of linguistic trivia. But, where did this belief come from, and how close is it to the truth?
8 February 2019 by Laura Kelly
